FIRST WELLINGTON - THEN BERLIN

Cora #18

2008-04-16T22:37:00.004-12:00

Cora ... I hope this works OK as I suspect the movie is too large (82MB) for email transmission via the usual routes ... I did the movie outside IKO IKO in Cuba Mall tonight 8:30pm .. while Fay was at her meditation class ... Josh was at soccer practice in Tawa ... Anna is down in Dunedin visiting her boyfriend who is at Otago Uni ... it is uni holidays at present.

A cool wet night here
... but wanted to be somewhere that would evoke some memories and smiles of your time down under in New Zealand. Every birthday is special
... YES even for me !! and I've had a few ... as the song says ... but I suppose 16, 18 and 21 are the special ones.

Well we had a great summer

... look at the Wellington daily photo blog
... the Inka Jojo Travel blog

... the cat is great ... my turquoise Jaguar XJR
... the dog ... ZIGGY as mad as ever
... and me just a quiet conservative baby boomer .... YEAH RIGHT

lots of love to you on another special day for THG ... blow out a candle for me

SKF #2

SKYDIVING OVER LAKE WANAKA

2006-12-10T17:35:00.000-12:00

Ye-ha! I went skydiving! It was so good, a really amazing experience....

On the ground I was actually more worried about the parents permission (that I didn' have) than about the jump itself. I was about to use this as an excuse to run away from the airport (I mean, what if they find out I'm doing something illegal and shoot the plane down??) but I knew I would hate myself forever if I'd do that. I got introduced to my jumpmaster and was requested to put on a flight suit which made me look very interesting. There's a video of the minutes before the plane went up and I have never ever said so much crap.

We got a short briefing and the opportunity to ask questions (little cora: "what happens if our jumpmaster falls to sleep in the middle of the free fall?"). The plane in which we went up was incredibly small and we had to squash in (this doesn't belong here but have I mentioned that our bus driver squashed three possums today? I found it's a pretty disgusting sight even for a non vegetarian. basically everything just splashed out and sometimes the possums keeps runnign around for a second or two and it's just not nice to look at. Apparently they've eaten the native birds since they've been imported but i still feel sorry for them and after having seen them rolled over by a 50 people bus a few times I have decided to like the possums).

The jumpmasters strapped us together pretty tightly and the plane seemed to climb up the 12 000 ft incredibly slowly. When the first couple actually jumped I found this small plane a perfectly good place to stay but with a stranger tied to your back who obviously wants you to
jump there's not much choice. The jumpmaster moves you towards the exit on the side of the plane, you have to put your feet and your head back and then you just fall out. I totally didn't expect the huge adrenaline rush, maybe also because I thought you'd just lie in the air but we turned over a few times before we got into the right position.

On 12,000 ft you have 30 seconds of freefall but actually they are not the longest 30 seconds of your life but really short. I was so confused because could feel I was falling very fast (at 200kph!!) but the ground didn't seem to move towards us because it's just so high.
the jumpmaster tried to get me to open my arms but I kept holding on to my suit as I could hear him but I simply didn't get it.

It's such a weird feeling if there is one person really close to you but around there's nothing but air for kilometres. It's absolutely undescribable.
Finally the parachute opened and we were floating down slowly with an unbelievable view of snow capped mountains, lakes and forests. It is so beautiful.

The whole thing feels so unreal. I still can't believe i've done it and you probably don't either but there's a highly embarrassing video which I will force you all to watch when I'm back!

Ten days to go!

Lots of love
Cora

2006-12-10T17:34:00.000-12:00

Hey i have updated (and finished) the Glacier story! Just in case you think you know it all :)

FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

2006-12-08T19:31:00.000-12:00

Hi Guys

I'm still alive! Travelling along the West Coast is a special experience. You find hostels without internet, not many people and definitely no connection for your cellphone most of the time (it is terrible but I got addicted to my new little friend as everyone here is texting like crazy and while i wouldn't mind in Germany, I thought it might be a better idea to avoid the outsider status for at least a few months.). Apart from that this part of the country is very VERY beautiful. It is a total cliche but it actually consists of endless beaches and i feel really bad to tell you I haven't been for a swim yet. It's probablt got something to do with Kiwi Experience (i like it very much to just blame THEM for everything that goes wrong) as we get dropped off too late in the towns so you usually can't enjoy a day at the beach. Another problem is the west coast itself as it is so very beautiful but most of the time you try to hide from the rain by doing excessive shopping at New World and then cooking nice food in your hostel. I try very hard to eat as healthy as possible and I am proud to say that I have been in New Zealand for half a year without eating one single mince meat pie. I consider them evil. Instead I sit in the hostel and eat vegetables which I am actually too stupid to cook properly. I just remember cooking brokkoli in the microwave in taupo with Annalen and Sabine. This was not a good idea.

Hopefully you haven't stopped reading by now because I'm apparently not able to get to the point. Read the headline. This post is supposed to be about the glacier, which is where i am now, pretty much in the middle of the South Island. I left the kiwi experience bus a few days ago to have a break from the 'get off the bus and get drunk' people which i do not love so much but after an overnight stop in Greymouth, I headed in the same direction with an Intercity bus to meet my bus again. I have decided that Kiwi Experience is not my favourite way of travelling, but this is good knowledge for the next time so I'm just gonna use up my ticket and be cool calm and collected all the time even though it gets sooo annoying.
The little village of Franz Josef consists of two streets, of which one obviously is home to the YHA where I live at the moment and which I like, and the other street runs straight to the walkway WHICH finally brings you to the glacier. I wanted to do a guided tour as it's too dangerous to climb the glacier on your own and you can get good photos but are not allowed to actually be IN the glacier.

I decided for the full day hike and after three requests the people at the guiding company were annoyed enough by me to give me the child discount. The full day started early at quarter oast nine and I made myself a huge lunch which I'm still proud of. The amazing thing about Franz Josef is that it is very special together with two other Glaciers in the world who also flow quite low and end in actual rainforest. One of the other ones is somewhere in Argentina and the third is Fox Glacier just down the road from the village.
The name is also a bit weird.....the glacier was first investigated by an Austrian, Julius von Haast and after he had named a few glaciers and rivers around in New Zealand after himself, he decided that it was time to name one after his king FRANZ JOSEF (I don't want to tell you anything wrong but I'm pretty sure this is Franzerl from 'Sissi'!!) . So much about filling up you brains with incredibly useful knowledge about glaciers on the other side of the world.

After a short walk through the rainforest we strapped on our Ice crampons (basically spikes to put under your hiking boots) and they seemed to make a lot of sense when we saw the steep climb up the glacier!! When you're in it all the ice around you forms a bit of nightmare landscape. Some ice blocks look like waves of water crashing down that have frozen right in the movement and between the giant formations are huge crevasses where you better not fall in. Once I underestimated a small spot of melted ice that looked like just two centimetres deep, I stepped into it and it was half a metre and my boot got completely wet. I was wearing shorts to the sharp edges of the ice made a rather disgusting bloodbath of my right leg. It looked much scarier than it actually was but hopefully its gonna end up making a scar which I can show off at home. "Oh yeah, that was when I went ice climbing in New Zealand".....sorry :)

As we got further up we even got to see some blue ice, parts where the blocks have opened to form little caves with a weird blue colour that looks just magic. And finally, we reached about the middle of the glacier itself which was a lookout point again: the sea is so close you can see it from the mountains. Looking forward to showing you those pictures!

Well we all came back pretty tired but absolutely satisfied. You see a lot of things you haven't even thought about before. Just amazing!!

Love to you all
Cora

The Game of Cricket

2006-12-05T15:52:00.000-12:00

Now Cora has only briefly watched Joshua playing cricket and fails to understand this crazy english game " played by men in white pyjamas" .. her words not mine !! ... so here is an explanation for Cora and all of you who fail to understand such a simple game ... YEAH RIGHT!

... and this is a picture of Joshua bowling in a game last weekend

Cricket: As explained to a foreigner...
You have two sides, one out in the field and one in.
Each man that's in the side that's in goes out, and when he's out he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out.
When they are all out, the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in, out.
Sometimes you get men still in and not out.
When a man goes out to go in, the men who are out try to get him out, and when he is out he goes in and the next man in goes out and goes in.
There are two men called umpires who stay out all the time and they decide when the men who are in are out.
When both sides have been in and all the men have been out, and both sides have been out twice after all the men have been in, including those who are not out,
... that is the end of the game.

Sailing Away ...

2006-12-04T09:08:00.000-12:00

Mt Kau Kau (where we climbed on Sunday) on Cora's last night

The ferry at the bottom of the garden ... YEAH RIGHT

Sailing across the harbour to Cook Strait & Picton

Soames Island behind the ferry with Eastbourne (where we had fish & chips) in the background. South Island watch out for "Cora: The Hungry German"

Farewell, take care, safe travels ... love Fay, Jeremy & Joshua

Checking Out

2006-12-04T08:52:00.000-12:00

Cora and Fay ... saying goodbye is hard

Very thoughtful

The sky this morning .. very moody

Dog Day Hair Styles

2006-12-03T13:55:00.000-12:00

Ziggy with the latest mowhawk style for poodles ... YEAH RIGHT

Joshua & Cora ... TV, swotting for exams, Shorty St, etc

Cora being studious & reading Jane Austin

Reaching the Summit

2006-12-03T13:30:00.000-12:00

The TV mast on the top of Mt Kau Kau

Walking up Mt Kau Kau .. to find the TV mast that we can see from the house

Fater #2

Refreshements, faces and the wind

Wellington from the top of Mt Kau Kau

Cora & the TV mast

Walking down again & 14 Karamu Street from the top

...thg & Ziggy

Shopping with the Baby Boomers

2006-12-03T13:03:00.000-12:00

caught shopping at IKO-IKO again !!!

my favourite shopping place ... Cuba Street

Another neat cafe ... OLIVE in Cuba St

The Matterhon Cafe in Cuba St

The Cuba Street Bucket Fountain

Fay enjoying the sunshine

more walking & shopping

The tasty chocolate orange cookies the Cora made for the BLANDFORD Family

Playng Monopoly & watching TV !~!!

Tongariro Trip

2006-11-27T07:29:00.000-12:00

Cora, Annalen & Sabine ... Rotorua

The geyser blows its top ...

Tongariro Crossing

2006-11-22T10:26:00.000-12:00

The Tongariro Crossing has been described as one of New Zealand's best one-day treks. It is a spectacular one-day trek across New Zealand's Tongariro National Park World Heritage Area. The trek begins at Mangatepopo in the west and ends at Ketetahi on the northern edge of the Park.

The Tongariro Crossing starts as a gentle gradient up the Mangatepopo Valley to a steep climb to the saddle between the active Volcanoes of Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe, across South Crater and finally climbing up to Red Crater, the highest point (1886m) on the track. Then descending down to the Emerald Lakes (a group of water filled explosion craters), over Central Crater to the Blue Lake (an old vent) sidling around North Crater past the Ketetahi Hut and the Ketetahi Hot Springs down through the native forest to the car park.

Cora's email this morning ....first the bad news aye....
I think I have killed the cellphone on the tongariro crossing. They told us to make sure we bring one so I decided to take us for emergencies. the weather was supposed to be really fine but apparently the weather forecast was wrong, tongariro expeditions even told us where to send our complaints.

After a beautiful sunrise and the first two hours in sunshine, the weather turned into absolute crap and it was too late to turn around as we had already climbed the "devil's staircase" and they had told us it would be too difficult to get down from this point. Just saying that I had tried to package the phone waterproof but actually even the last one of my five layers was completely wet when we came down and so I don't know whether the phone just got too cold or whether it died from the rain. I'll take it to a shop in Taupo today and see whether they can fix it, and if not, i'll replace it or I'll leave you mine. I'm sorry.....

So that was that - the crossing itself was quite disappointing as the fog was so extreme that it was even hard sometimes to find the next marker stick which showed us the way. and of course we didn't see any of the "sights", only the emerald lakes but the wind was so strong that we tried to get down as soon as possible from that point as well.

When we finally arrived at Ketetahi Hut it was so full with frozen backpackers that we didn't really stay and I just got out of my wet jeans and decided to wear hotpants for the rest of the track that was still better than long trousers. some of the guys seemed to think that was really funny :)

well after all we managed to get down and tackled the whole crossing in 6 hours instead of 9. that was probably beacuse we didn't even have any of our lunch as it was just too cold to stop walking.

the rest of the day was good, we basically spent it in the spa pool of the hostel and had an early night. over all, I found it quite challenging and I was pretty scared in some parts but it's still a good experience....:) sorry again about the cellphone, i hope you're all fine, say hello to josh and fay and have a gr8 day lovya cora

Randoms Cuts

2006-11-19T08:23:00.000-12:00

Cora mowing the lawn in the eclectic random style of Jackson Pollock

The artist model ...

The Weekend

2006-11-12T11:18:00.000-12:00

At the CD Store

The Cuba Street fountain .. an iconic piece of Wellington

Buying chocolates!!!

Doorstep in Cuba Street

Shopping in IkoIko ... Cuba Street

Keeing a close eye on everyone !!

The Fish & Chip Shop at Eastbourne

Waiting for food !!!

Eating food

Tidying up the bits of Cora .. from all around the house

WEGC Internal Students Christmas Party

2006-11-08T15:28:00.000-12:00

... some photos from the International Students Christmas party held last night in the staff room at Wellington East Girls College.

Artistic Impressions

2006-11-06T12:46:00.000-12:00

A sketchy chocolate fish

A "Permanent" Momento

2006-11-05T08:37:00.000-12:00

Cora really Really REALLY likes the All Blacks and especially "Dan Carter" .. who got 26 points for the team this morning at Twickenham when they beat England 40-21
... so Cora thought she should have a permanent momento ... YEAH RIGHT !!

... and this is my Dan

The Cora Programme

2006-11-02T13:08:00.000-12:00

This is my rough programme to let New Zealand I have been here ... my footprints will be all over the country ... yeah right!!

... and this is me doing some R&R with Josh ... at the game arcade last night

My Kiwi Experience Southern Roundup

2006-11-01T13:24:00.000-12:00

This is a rough itinerary of my Southern Roundup tour which I will start on 4 December

PICTON TO NELSON
We meet the Cook Strait ferry in Picton and travel via Havelock, and Pelorus Bridge over to Nelson, New Zealand’s sunniest city. A great place in summer to jump off the bus and explore the Abel Tasman National Park on foot or kayak.

NELSON TO WESTPORT
In summer we head Into the Abel Tasman National Park to Kaiteriteri where you have the chance to do a half-day kayaking trip or a water boat ride into the national park to do a short trek. Enroute to Westport we meet the team (and Rata the dog) from Buller Adventure Tours. Experience horse trekking or jet boating on the Buller River. Tonight your driver will arrange a group meal for you but be aware the West Coast cuisine is not your standard BBQ!

WESTPORT TO LAKE MAHINAPUA
Today we head down the spectacular West Coast Road that stretches 435kms along the rugged Tasman shoreline. The road winds through diverse landscapes, which never cease to amaze both locals and visitors alike. Highlights Include Cape Foulwind seal colony, rugged beach walks & Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes. On arrival at the famous Mahinapua Hotel you will have the chance to kayak on Lake Mahinapua Tonight your driver will arrange a group meal for you at the legendary “Poo Pub” (a traditional West Coast Pub). Be aware the West Coast Cuisine is not your standard BBQ! The “Wild Food Feast” may consist of whitebait fritters, mountain oysters (goats testicles), bambi steak and squashed possum.

LAKE MAHINAPUA TO FRANZ JOSEF
Our first stop this morning is the Bushman’s Centre where you will get an insight into how people make a living on the coast with sphagnum moss growing, old timber-milling techniques, possum trapping and helicopter deer recovery. We then head through to Franz Josef Glacier Township, nestled in the Westland National Park.

FREE DAY FRANZ JOSEPH
Today is your chance to hike on Franz Josef Glacier (…Jojo did this one), rated in the top three NZ activities by Kiwi Experience passengers.

FRANZ JOSEF TO WANAKA
We start out early in order to catch the perfect mirror reflection of Mt Cook and the Southern Alps on Lake Matheson, near the town of Fox Glacier. We then cruise down the last stretch of the West Coast road (and the most scenic) stopping to check out Ship Cove, Haast River/ Thunder Creek Falls, Blue Pools, and a chance to go jet boating up the Wilkin River.
After we pass the township of Haast we head into the mountains and bid our farewell to the coastline. Watch the scenery change dramatically as today’s journey continues. We cross the bridge at the gates of Haast, head up the pass and into Mount Aspiring National Park. As we come down the eastern side of the main divide, we track over toward Makarora a wilderness stopover boasting a population of 20, but you try to find all of them in winter. We arrive in Wanaka between 2 – 4pm

WANAKA TO QUEENSTOWN
A short but action packed drive today through to the NZ's adventure capital, Queenstown. Highlights Include Puzzling World (check out the toilets - highly entertaining), Skydive over Lake Wanaka & the Southern Alps, Kawarau Bridge Bungy, Group Photo on arrival In Queenstown and finishing up with a night out on the town with your crew…

FREE DAY QUEENSTOWN
Queenstown is rated up there as being one of our passengers favorite spots to hang out In NZ so take the time to spend at least 3 days here Apart from being one of the most beautiful places in the world, Queenstown is New Zealand’s, if not the world’s, adventure capital. You can take advantage of the beautiful lake and surrounding walks, or get into a whole range of adrenalin pumping activities. We do recommend one activity however, the overland daytrip to Milford Sound, commonly referred to as New Zealand’s most beautiful spot, and that’s saying something!

QUEENSTOWN to DUNEDIN to QUEENSTOWN
A side trip for me to catch up with Philena and see some of the Scottish heritage of Dunedin. A few days here and then back to Queenstown to pick up the Kiwi experience tour again

QUEENSTOWN TO CHRISTCHURCH
We head out of Queenstown, up over the Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Country, named after James Mackenzie who was a notorious sheep rustler (or Velcro glove wearer). After dropping people in Twizel for the connection to Mt Cook, we travel through to the amazing aqua blue Lake Pukaki to see Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo for a view of the Church of the Good Shepherd, the bronze sheep dog and the milky blue colour of the glacier fed lakes. From there we have a very straight and flat run into Christchurch and will deliver you to the hostels of your choice between 4.30pm and 6pm.

CHRISTCHURCH TO KAIKOURA
We travel across the northern Canterbury Plains towards Kaikoura arriving there around midday. Kaikoura used to be the South Island’s best-kept secret. Kaikoura means to eat Crayfish (kai - to eat, Koura - Crayfish), actually the full name is Te-Ahi-kai-koura-a-Tama-ki-te-rangi These days its the Whales, Dolphins, Seals and the fish and chips that Kaikoura is becoming ever more popular for. Experience Dolphin Swimming, Whale Watching, Seal Colony walk or chill out at the hostel situated just up from the beach.

KAIKOURA TO PICTON
We head north and take in the last of the dramatic Kaikoura coastline. It’s a spectacular drive, and we may take the opportunity to stop for a close look at the seals that lay about on the rocks all day long. We make our way to the Picton ferry terminal in time to catch the 1.30pm sailing to the North Island. Say farewell to the South Island (Te Wai Pounamu) and we’re on our way! The ferry ride takes about 3 hours,
... and you will be met by your friendly “HOST FATHER” .. yeah right

Summer Uniform

2006-10-31T11:00:00.000-12:00

THE OFFICIAL summer uniform portrait ... with breakfast to go !!

Two summer Germans ... yeah right !!

STATEMENT

2006-10-30T17:04:00.000-12:00

So now this is the REAL cora speaking to you....I see Jeremy has been very helpful and has put lots of stuff on the blog....some very creative stuff about the global warming, my new best friend ever, ziggy the poodle, and of course chocolate cake which is also a thing a really like. look at the other picture and wonder whether I might have put mushrooms in there that shouldn't which had massive effects on Jeremy's view of the world.....HAHA FUNNY :)
Ok that's sorted so now the serious stuff.
I've got two weeks left at school which starts getting kind of sad, but my god, it's just school. In the first week of my big holiday I'm gonna go travelling with Annalen, a mate from school and maybe another German girl which I don't know yet but she's new here and now I'm one of the cool people who can show those exchange students around. My next Kiwi Experience tour - rounf the South Island this time -will start on the 4th of Decemberfor . I am going to be "on the road" for about two weeks and a couple of days, stopping over in Dunedin to visit Philine and then getting back to Wellington. My dearest host family will be off to New York by that time but another friend from school, Emma, offered me to stay with her family so thats where Im gonna be for the last few days. AND THEN it's getting back to Berlin.....I don't really want to think about it even though I'm looking forward to seeing all you guys again. I DO!!!
Lots of love
Cora

Global Warming in Wellington

2006-10-30T14:49:00.000-12:00

Global Warming in Wellington ... we wish

Creative Expression on a wet weekend

2006-10-29T11:38:00.000-12:00

NO EXPLANATION REQUIRED!!

Schokolade Kucken

2006-10-29T08:45:00.000-12:00

The CAKE

The COOK & The TASTER !!!!

Host Bro B'day

2006-10-23T11:07:00.000-12:00

The making of the masterpiece

The birthday cake

Joshua's 17th birthday ... opening the presents this morning ... too early for some!!

... the Action men had to survive an overnight mauling by the dogs .. well at least one small black poodle who decided she needed a midnight snack !!!

Picnic dinner

Baby Boomers go mad in Wellington

2006-10-23T10:26:00.000-12:00

Warratahs concert friday night at Chow ... baby boomers came out from hiding to groove with the Warratahs ... " all a bit embarrassing really !!!"

... ... some gig competition from "KORA"

New Zealand 1985 – at the height of 'new wave' and Kiwi pub rock - was an unlikely time to form a country band. However, a bunch of Wellington's musicians did just that. Called The Warratahs, the band's two-year residency at inner-city tavern The Cricketer's Arms drew increasingly large crowds, attracted by the mix of covers and originals in the style of Hank Williams, Jimmy Rogers and Hank Snow played in an acoustic style.
The Warratahs began touring and in 1987 turned up in Gore, at the bottom of New Zealand's South Island, for the legendary Gold Guitars country music awards. It was no surprise when, three days later, they walked away with the title of Best Group.
The band went into the studio in 1986 and recorded a Barry Saunders/Wayne Mason song Hands of My Heart. Released as a "single", the song received significant national airplay and led to the recording and release of The Warratahs' first long-player Only Game in Town in late 1987. The album spent 26 weeks in the charts and clocked up "gold" sales.
Covering the country, The Warratahs were now a full-time touring band reaching almost every part of New Zealand with their distinctive sound. A Saunders-penned song - Maureen - was lifted from the album and also received heavy airplay. Both "Maureen" and "Hands of My Heart" are still among the most-requested songs in The Warratahs' repertoire.
Like most bands who have extensively toured the relatively small New Zealand market, Australia soon beckoned and The Warratahs quickly built up a steady following in Sydney and Melbourne. New Zealand tours with Billy Joel and Johnny Cash (twice) followed, as well as their own headlining shows on both sides of the Tasman.

Operation Denim

2006-10-23T10:06:00.000-12:00

Successful reconnoitre of the retail jungle to sample 7+ variations of denim jeans .. with the goal being achieved at Paris Texas with washed out black hi-rise stove pipes .... YES YES YES

decisions ... Decisions ... DECISIONS

Full on action demonstration of fashion power by "The Blonde in the Jeans"

Labour Weekend

2006-10-23T10:04:00.000-12:00

wet wet wet .. and windy ... worst Labour Weekend weather in 10 years .. see http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3838774a6000,00.html

Saturday .. cricket ... but only played half a game due to the rain.
Rugby final but the Lions were beaten 37-31 by the MooLoos (diary cows) from Waikato ... BUGGER pork schnitzel, tiramisu for dinner; then ...
Sunday .. shopping, pizza, beer for dinner and movies " The Devil wears Prada" then ...
Monday is a holiday for "Labour Day"!!! .. shopping & supermarket and watched "LOTR ... The Return of the King" DVD .. chicken rendang for dinner, strawberries and hokey pokey icecream

Some German & Turkish .. we spied at the Dixon St Deli where we had food & coffee

... hitting the track with the saloon car championship

Host father suitably modified while sleeping on the couch

Ziggy licking her lips thinking about "Action Man" birthday cake !!!!!!!!!

Labour Day in New Zealand
In New Zealand, Labour Day is a public holiday held on the fourth Monday in October. Its origins are traced back to the eight-hour working day movement that arose in the newly founded Wellington colony in 1840, primarily because of carpenter Samuel Parnell's refusal to work more than eight hours a day. He encouraged other tradesman to also only work for eight hours a day and in October 1840 a workers' meeting passed a resolution supporting the idea. On 28 October 1890, the 50th anniversary of the eight-hour day was commemorated with a parade. The event was then celebrated annually in late October as either Labour Day or Eight-Hour Demonstration Day. In 1899 government legislated that the day be a public holiday from 1900. The day was celebrated on different days in different provinces. This led to ship owners complaining that seamen were taking excessive holidays by having one Labour Day in one port then another in their next port. In 1910 the government "Mondayised" the holiday so that it would be observed on the same day throughout the nation.

A Well Ordered German ... YEAH RIGHT

2006-10-18T11:03:00.000-12:00

Ziggy ...

Otari Bush ... Sunday 15 Oct

2006-10-15T10:15:00.000-12:00

On Sunday we went for a walk with ZIGGY the dog at Otari Bush Reserve ... about 5 mins by car from our house .. it was misty and windy but good to get some fresh air and run around

this is the link to some information about Otari Bush http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/gardens/otariwiltonsbush/otariwiltonsbush.html

and then I had to have a sleep on the couch !!!

More Rugby

2006-10-08T09:05:00.000-12:00

At the Stadium on Friday night, straight off the Kiwi Experience buss to watch Wellington Lions play their quaterfinal match against Dan Carter's Canterbury team ... we beat them 36-23 ...YES!!

Breakfast in the sunshine on Sunday morning

Rotorua

2006-10-08T09:04:00.002-12:00

Rotorua Museum
"Tulips from Amsterdam" in the gardens

traditional Maori food storage

Boiling mud pools ... bubble bubble bubble

Cathedral Cove

2006-10-08T09:04:00.001-12:00

Comments to be provided by "thg"

Auckland

2006-10-08T09:04:00.000-12:00

Kiwis aren't really mad about Rugby ... YEAH RIGHT !!

Yachts at the Viaduct Basin

The Sky Tower

The real Shortland Street in Auckland

Some european culture

Rangitoto Island

2006-10-08T09:03:00.000-12:00

So this is cora speaking now....the island photos are from rangitoto island, basically a volcano which spread into the sea.
the green crater is mt eden in auckland. it was the first I saw here and i can tell it was a bit scary to have these green holes all over the city and there's somebody telling you "thats just another volcano, shouldnt too dangerous"....ok

there's the team

2006-10-08T08:51:00.000-12:00

caving in waitomo....look at the group photo. if i remember that right we were supposed to look 'sexy and thoughtful'. sure we do.

Craters of the Moon

2006-10-08T08:41:00.000-12:00

A geothermal park near taupo...the earth's crust is so thin that you can feel the heat if you put your hand on the ground. it's much less secured than all the other parks and they tell you to stay on the path a thousand times.

Taupo ... Waikato River

2006-10-08T08:13:00.000-12:00

All right. What exactly am i going to do in case there is falling rock rmy right over my head?
The second time in Taupo, we got a 'day off' so I did a sailing cruise on the crater lake (its so big singapore could fit in twice). and they even let me hold the wheel which made me very very proud. even though i8t wouldn't look half as good without my incredibly cool sunglasses.

Cora back IN RESIDENCE

2006-10-08T07:52:00.000-12:00

Cora has returned and started to spread herself about again. Dan Carter, the All Black is back on the fridge. Dan with artistic modification by Josh, creating some sibling rivalry

day off in Taupo

2006-10-03T18:20:00.000-12:00

Hey Guys,
just a short update on what I did today....
I went out on a sailing cruise on Lake Taupo to see the Maori Rock Carvings but it was a really cool trip and there were great views of the lake and the surrounding volcanoes.

later I caught the 'hot bus', a shuttle service which brought me to another Geothermal Reserve, the "craters of the moon" with some great features like a mud volcano and you could literally feel the heat under your shoes while listening to the quiet bubbling and swirling of the steam coming out of the earth and the boiling mud pools.

Anna Blandford & Jojo Helm at Craters of the Moon;July 2005
now I better finish off but more another day
lots of love
cora

Awesome Abseiling

2006-10-02T19:31:00.000-12:00

Hey Guys,
I've just seen that Jeremy's updated the blog again...he's put my sms message onto the thing. It was a message for jeremy but it's still true what I wrote.
I really loved that caving trip, it was an awesome underground experience and as it was the big 'action' tour I was the only girl ('the chick' again) and the youngest one as well.
The other guys were mostly from UK but there were some Aussies and an Irishman too.
I might just describe what we did even though Jeremy helpful as always put that brochure kind of thing in one of the last post.
Well we got introduced to the trip and what was gonna happen first and tried to figure out what we'd do in emergencies as there were two guys that couldn't swim. I'm not joking but so we had to promise them to keep an eye on them;)
We then got all the equipment staff for the abseiling and our 'outfits'....wetsuits, gumboots (or 'wellingtons' as they're called here - don't ask why) and safety helmets with lights because those caves are pretty tough in some places.
Ref: Wellingtons were rubberised boots popularised by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington and were fashionable among the British aristocracy in the early 19th century; ... look up your history books

it was the first abseiling (I KNOW this is a german word but it's really called like that!!) I ever did and I was glad we had some training first, abseiling down a steep hill. but honestly, it was nothing compared to the real thing: abseiling 37 metres deep into a vertical cave entrance, mainliy a big hole which i wouldn't have liked to meet without the abseiling gear.
maybe i shouldn't have had my daily chocolate muffin for breakfast as i got stuck in the abseiling part which got quite narrow. but finally I arrived at the end and got freed by one of our two guides. I was pretty scared before I did it so I couldn't really enjoy the first part...maybe I should do it again some time?
And the Irishman took the piss out of me before I went down: "hey cora, did you check your helmet lights?" "em...no....does it work" "Aaah, let's see....I don't think so". Of course I believed him....typically dumb....started panicking....haha funny.

But then he seemed to have a bad conscience and behaved really gentleman-like for the rest of the tour. I was the shortest one so in some parts I had to swim while the others could walk and several times the guys had to save me from drifting away. but it was definitively great fun!!
After the abseil we had our first break with some nice hot coffee and some kind of giant muesli bars. Our guide told us he had made them himself so some people decided to have a closer look before we ate them. but everybody seemed to survive.
our little morning tea was followed by the jump two metres down into the underground river. I was really proud of me that I jumped first - but honestly, if i had had some more time to think about what might be down there I would have been too scared.
then we were floating down the river in our tubes and it was some kind of magic if you just didn't listen to the aussies who tried to "kill the moment" very hard.
the glowworms were awesome as we switched off all the lights and finally we were standing in a cathedral-like cave with little bright green lights all over the wall! our guide introduced us to the life of the glowworms....could make you really jealous: when they are born they first have a gigantic feed which keeps them going for their whole life, they spend their teenage years sleeping in a cocoon and when they are finally grown up they have sex for the rest of their lives. so next time you'd better ask to become a glowworm.

The last part of the caving your was probably the toughest. We were climbing up some hidden waterfalls to get the 50 metres up again. I thought I could never do it because you had to climb nearly vertically and you couldn't see a thing as the waterfalls were rushing down in front of you. But our guides advised us were to put our feet and hands and everyone decided to trust them so we all reached the normal world safely!

After that trip, we could warm up with having a hot shower and got fed with some soup and bagels. in the black water cafe you could mainly see "pre caving" and "post caving" faces....some looked pretty worried but all the ones who had done it had that giant grin on their face....definitely the highlight of my tour!

In the afternoon we arrived in Taupo - that's were I am now, staying at Tiki Lodge again. The internet cafe is about to close so I better hurry up. But I'm fine and a bit sad that the tour is nearly over. Time went incredibly fast and although I'm looking forward to see Wellington again, including my awesome host family and it's gonna be pretty neat to eat at regular times, this is really something I'm gonna remember long after I've left.

Lots of love
cora

Up on top again !!

2006-10-02T13:37:00.000-12:00

Hi everyone ... up again ... it was the most awesome thing I've done so far !!!!!!!
Was alone with all those Australian guys but tried to be strong, brave and clever .. very hard ... jumped first and managed the abseil without major accidents :o) ... now heading to Taupo .. have a good day
love Cora

Natural Beauty

2006-10-01T17:47:00.000-12:00

Hey Guys,
I've just seen that Jeremy the helpful host father has updated the blog again....He's right (always) and I'm now booked on the Abyss Black Water Rafting tour. Todd, the Kiwi bus driver organized that for me and helped me with the decision so finally i did the expensive one, five hours of adventure and three hours underground. I seem to be the only girl who's doing the big one but the other guys are ok.
There's one I got to know today as we did the Ruakuri walk together (it was raining so we were only three people) which is said to be the best 30 minute walk in New Zealand....

Situated two kilometres from the world-renowned Waitomo glowworm cave and 17 kilometres from the King Country town of Te Kuiti, Ruakuri contains a fascinating combination of natural features and cultural history.

Things to see
The reserve contains beautiful native bush, classic limestone outcrops, caves (picture below), tunnels, gorges and cantilevered walkways high above the rushing water. It is also a place of strong historical, cultural and spiritual significance.
A 30-minute loop-walk from the carpark will take you to the Ruakuri natural tunnel, including an unusual 'side view' of the stream and tunnel entrance.

It was pretty awesome actually, it looks like rainforest at that place and we came past a few cave entries so we started getting really excited about the trip tomorrow.
I'm running out of time....more at a later time
lots of love
cora

"Downunder" Downunder

2006-10-01T10:33:00.000-12:00

... today is Monday and I am in the King Country region ... Waitomo to be exact where there are lots of caves
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
World renowned and a magnet for both local and overseas visitors, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves occupy a high placing in almost everyones New Zealand vacation wish-list.
The Waitomo glowworm, Arachnocampa luminosa, is unique to New Zealand. Thousands of these tiny creatures radiate their unmistakable luminescent light as our expert guides provide informative commentary on the Caves' historical and geological significance.
Over your 45 minute guided tour, you'll take in the spectacular Glowworm Cave with its majestic and ornate cave decorations, the deep limestone shaft known as the Tomo and the equally magnificent Cathedral cavern where New Zealands own opera diva Kiri Te Kanawa once performed. Your tour guide will deliver an informative and entertaining commentary, sharing stories, cultural legends and the natural wonders of this living masterpiece.

Abyss Tour
Black Abyss is the ultimate adrenaline rush and caving tour of choice for natural born adventurers everywhere. Descend spider-like into the black depths of Ruakuri Cave and enjoy the best caving adventure tour on a five hour expedition that combines abseiling the breathtaking tomo, climbing, tight rock squeezes and cave tubing down the river into one unforgettable journey.

At every stage you're accompanied and supported by experienced caving guides from The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co. who know and love this totally unique and mind-blowing environment.
ACTIVITY INVOLVES
Abseiling training
Abseiling 37 metres
Caving and walking
Cave tubing (black water rafting)
Glow worms
Jumps
Flying Fox
Climbing

Rotorua

2006-09-30T20:20:00.000-12:00

Hi Guys
that's gonna be a short post as I'm really tired and I also have to get my washing out of the laundry room before someone else does.... I'm staying at Treks Backpackers in Rotorua at the moment, Rotorua is maori and can be translated as "an evil-smelling place" which points it out quite well....rotorua has its unique smell of rotten eggs from all the sulphur from the geothermal activities in the area. it's situated directly where the tectonic plates meet and is a heavy earthquake and volcano spot. we arrived too late today so i couldn't do any of the Geothermal parks (but I'll probably see them with Annalen, we're planning to do a weekend in rotorua together as there's heaps of cool stuff do do - as an example rotorua is the only place in the world where you can do 'zorbing', means rolling down a hill in a plastic ball very fast and if you like it wet you can also have a few buckets of water with you...sounds strange? i suppose it is) .

and it looked like rain and i decided for the Rotorua museum which is more interesting than i thought it would be, it was some stuff about the local maori tribe and information on the volcano activity as the last big eruption killed a whole village about hundred years ago.
I then headed to the 'Fat Dog' which is told to be Rotorua's best cafe.... honestly, it is a nice place and i had some coffee there (and there might also have been a tiny little piece of chocolate cake) and time to catch up with writing postcards and completing my travel diary.
it was followed by a thing i really wanted to do because i enjoyed it pretty much when my host family took me there. there's a Polynesian Spa in rotorua, rated as one of the best spas in the world.....you're soaking away in the hot thermal pools while having a great view on lake rotorua, another crater lake. it's kind of scary to realise you're just sitting in a huge crater even though the volcano under your feet is (probably) asleep.
So now i'm here at the backpackers, looking forward to a day full of action in waitomo where the famous glow-worm caves are.
i'm having a great time but of course i miss all of you....
lots of love
cora

Whitianga, Cormandel Peninsular

2006-09-29T19:56:00.000-12:00

Hello everybody,
i'm now at the backpackers in whitianga. whitianga is a small place on coromandel peninsula - and directly at the beach. I left the busy auckland central backpackers early this morning (and some very funny guys thought i would be very funny to hide my rain jacket under someone's mattress.......that was a bit of a drama as i had to catch my bus and of course i had no idea that it wasn't my fault this time, but finally it worked out all right, i found my jacket, left an angry note for my room mates and got on the bus) and first we headed towards auckland's dormant volcano mt eden where we had some free time to have a glimpse into the crater.
to be honest, it wasn't too scary as mt eden has been asleep for a long time now and there's grass all over the volcano's inside.

The next stop was the car park above cathedral cove, a beach on the peninsula. There was a 1 hour walk down to the beach as it is only accessible by foot - or by kayak. but it was well worth the walk and i had to get some guys from the bus to take a picture of me at the beach - otherwise you'd probably say i had taken it from a brochure
.... but there are some photos by Jeremy, January 2006
Cathedral Cove is possibly the most beautiful beach in the world.....clear and incredibly blue water, white sand and there's a cave-like thing that divides the beach in two parts and looks like taken straight out of 'Lord of the rings'. honestly, this beach is very cliche but just to die for.

After the walk back we headed to hot water beach.... unfortunately, the tides weren't right but otherwise you can dig a hole in the sand to create a personal spa....after a few metres it fills with hot water from the thermal springs under the sand. in case you think it's too hot you can mix it with some fresh cold sea water. but ok, we couldn't do that but at least it's good to know we were at the one and only 'hot water beach' :)
the only thing you might ask is who first had the idea to dig a hole in the sand on a random beach.

So now i'm at the buffalo peaks hostel and already getting excited about visiting rotorua again. i'll try to do the waiotapu geothermal park and again, the polynesian spa which is just gorgeous....looking forward to that!!
have a wonderful day....and i'll be happy if you write me some time!
lots of love
cora

2006-09-28T20:01:00.000-12:00

hi guys
this is probably the first time i'll do a post here on my own.... I just want to say I'm here in auckland st auckland central backpackers and i'm having a wonderful time, taking lots of photos for you (and me) and will post them on the blog when i'm back in wellington.
jeremy THH (the helpful hostfather and he's much more than just helpful but he might get too much self confidence if i write it all on the blog) has already written a lot as i see. but there's more to come!
well i think it's time to grab some dinner (some dumb australians have crashed the kitchen hier in the backpackers so it might be COLD vacuum packaged risotto)........i wish all people in NZ a pleasant evening and have a good day to all people in the northern hemisphere!!
love
cora

Auckland GoogleEarthed

2006-09-28T14:41:00.000-12:00

Friday 29 September ... AUCKLAND

2006-09-28T13:31:00.000-12:00

I am in Auckland today and doing a trip across the Waitemata Harbour to Rangitoto Island, part of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. It is a dominant landmark of Auckland, New Zealand. Situated 35 minutes by ferry from Downtown Auckland, the islands' unique geological and natural attributes are of international interest. What is less known is that the three Bach Settlements of Rangitoto Wharf, Islington Bay and Beacon End are also of national importance

Volcanic Origins
The island emerged from the sea in a series of fiery volcanic explosions. Lava cooled and hardened into a cone which would have looked quite different from the scrub-covered cinder cone today rising 259 metres above the sea.

Further eruptions sent red hot lava flows down the sides of the volcano, forming the black basaltic rock which makes up 95 per cent of this roughly circular, island, five kilometres across. Ash from the eruptions engulfed neighbouring Motutapu Island and the Maori settlements there.

Bare lava fields, lava caves, pillars and tunnels and different types of lava flows are all obvious features of the island's volcanic landscape. The summit can be reached in a two hour return walk from Rangitoto Wharf. A loop track around the crater rim gives fine views of the extinct crater and Hauraki Gulf.

Diverse History
Maori use of the island appears to have been limited compared with neighbouring Motutapu and Motukorea (Browns Island). Rangitoto was used by early Maori as a commanding lookout in times of war and as a parrot reserve, or rahui-kaka. There are ancient Maori burial caves on the island, the resting place for bones brought across from Motutapu Island.

The Crown purchased Rangitoto in 1854. It was designated a public domain in 1890 and became a popular destination for picnickers. During the 1920s and 1930s prisoners built handpacked roads and trails, some of which are now used as walk-ways on the island. They also constructed the stone walls around the landings and a swimming pool.

Bach sites were leased to help pay for island developments. Some of these baches will be preserved as historic buildings. During World War II there were extensive defence installations on the island, including a fire command post on the summit.

Wednesday 27 Sept

2006-09-27T10:02:00.000-12:00

WELLINGTON TO TAUPO
We’ve got quite a distance to cover today so we headed away from Wellington by 8am to beat the rush hour traffic. We passed through Taihape where we drop off and pick up people for River Valley. Departing Taihape we made the climb up to the Central Plateau, home of the Tongariro National Park and across the Desert Road. Thru Turangi and around the southern end of Lake Taupo.

... I stayed at the Tiki lodge in Taupo

The Big Green Bus

2006-09-26T11:08:00.000-12:00

packing the taxi with my backpack ... and me !!

... as the song says "that's me in the corner"

... backpackers for the bus
...and now "on the road again" as the other song says

KIWI EXPERIENCE Northern Roundup

2006-09-26T08:51:00.000-12:00

I left Wellington this morning (Wed 27 Sep 06) on my adventure around the North Island. Some I will have seen before but other parts will be completely new for me. I am a bit nervous but excited ... here is my itinerary

WELLINGTON TO TAUPO We’ve got quite a distance to cover today so we head away from Wellington by 8am to beat the rush hour traffic. We pass through Taihape where we drop off and pick up people for River Valley. Departing Taihape we make the climb up to the Central Plateau, home of the Tongariro National Park. For access to the National Park, we can drop you off in the township of Turangi.

TAUPO TO AUCKLAND (VIA ROTORUA)This morning we head north to Rotorua, often referred to as 'rotten rua' due to the abundance of thermal activity in the area. After dropping off passengers who are spending a few days to have a good look around we make our way to Auckland, taking in the rolling countryside along the way.

AUCKLAND TO MERCURY BAY (WHITIANGA)After visiting Mt Eden (one of many dormant volcanoes in Auckland) we head towards the Coromandel Peninsula and spend the afternoon at Cathedral Cove accessible only on foot or by kayak - a beautiful coastal spot great for swimming, sea kayaking and spotting dolphins if you’re lucky. Provided the tides are right we may also check out Hot water beach and dig our own hot pools.

MERCURY BAY (WHITIANGA) TO ROTORUA We depart Whitianga early in order to make the most of our time in the geothermal and cultural centre of New Zealand, Rotorua. Our first stop en route this morning is a visit to the Karangahake Scenic Reserve to explore a native bush clad gorge, swing bridges and a one kilometre long tunnel. On arriving into Rotorua you will have the chance to go luging, zorbing or for a dip in a natural hot spring before experiencing the traditional Maori Hangi and Concert in the evening with Tamaki Tours - a night not to be missed!

ROTORUA TO WAITOMO Today we start with a visit to Te Puia - a large geothermal reserve and Maori Arts and Crafts Centre. Te Puia is also your first chance to spot the elusive Kiwi bird!! We depart Rotorua to drive on through the Waikato and King Country to the Waitomo caves. (Wai meaning water, tomo meaning cave) The local caves, hiding under the green Waitomo countryside, are made out of limestone, which is basically very old dead fish (in this case about 40 million years old). We spend the afternoon checking out Marokopa Falls (3rd largest falls in NZ), the 'Natural Bridge' and Ruakuri reserve. Apart from glow-worms in caves you may see stalactites, stalagmites, cave coral, rock sculptures, fossil oysters and fossil whalebones.

WAITOMO TO TAUPO We leave at lunchtime today so that you have time to experience the legendary Black Water Rafting in the morning with either the Labrinth or Abyss trips! Other adventure activity options include the Quad Biking through rural farmland or the brand new Ruakuri cave which is an engineering master piece. We leave the Waitomo region behind us heading in the direction of the Tongariro National Park and Lake Taupo. Apart from the natural geothermal features of the surrounding area, Taupo is fast becoming known as the action adventure capital of the north. Activities include skydiving, bungy jumping, jet boating, walking the Tongariro Crossing (said to be the best one day walk in the world!), trout fishing and more…

Da Berlin Belle

2006-09-25T08:41:00.000-12:00

Wellington East Girls College "Leavers' Ball" at the Duxton Hotel, Wellington
My "little black dress" from Max

... thoughtful pose

... handbag, necklace, earings, hair ribbon and lots of hair clips

Having a laugh with the taxi driver

The Agony & Ecstasy of SHOPPING

2006-09-24T08:42:00.000-12:00

The iconic IKO-IKO shop in Cuba Street ... one of my eclectic favourites

... and the SOUNDS music shop

Fay and I doing the shops in Cuba Street

... but it's really hard making DECISIONS !!

... and I keep fit by running DOWN the UP escalator!!

Germany takes the "apple peel" record

2006-09-24T08:32:00.000-12:00

... displaying awesome dexterity under difficult conditions, Cora Scmidt-Ott takes the Gold Medal in the Apple Peeling competition !!

The Art Studio

2006-09-20T09:22:00.000-12:00

The Blandford kitchen was only being used for preparation of food and I thought that it really needed a bit more colour and creativity !!

The artist at work

The paint spreads beyond the canvas

Caught RED handed

The big cleanup

Joshua hits the Stage !

2006-09-19T13:37:00.000-12:00

Joshua as Horatio in "Ophelia Tries Harder" (by Jean Betts & William Shakespeare) ... the Onslow College Drama play. We went to watch it on Tuesday night.

HORATIO

Horatio & Ophelia

... the bedroom scene !!

Scanning the newspaper for the critics' reviews ... YEAH RIGHT

The Supermarket after the Rugby

2006-09-17T09:55:00.001-12:00

You can buy some really interesting things at the NewWorld supermarket in Wellington ... but sometimes they require food!!!

My neigbourhood on a sunny day

2006-09-17T09:55:00.000-12:00

looking NORTH from the driveway towards Mt. Kaukau TV mast

looking west towards our house ... you can just see the brown roof of my bedroom right in the centre of the picture

looking WEST from the driveway ... our Subaru wagon

looking EAST towards Ngaio

RUGBY Lions vs Canterbury 26-24 YES!!!

2006-09-17T09:54:00.000-12:00

Running out on to the field for the start of the game

Tana Umaga No. 13

An injury break ... the forward packs of both teams

the cool dude in someone elses sunglases

walking out WIN happy after the game

Lazy Sunny Sunday Afternoon

2006-09-17T09:50:00.000-12:00

giving the evil eye

Fay enjoying the sunshine as well

The streets by school

2006-09-17T09:39:00.000-12:00

The spikey tree is a "Cabbage Tree" and you see them all over the place in NZ. They feature in a lot of the artworks of NZ.

The arrangement around my neck

2006-09-17T09:32:00.000-12:00

We have one particular teacher at school who seems to track me everywhere "Where is your tie?", "you must treat the uniform with respect" "Where is your blazer?" and when I wore this scarf she asked me "What is that arrangment around your neck?" ... we have diligent Uniform police at school !!

The Mountains in the middle of the North Island

2006-09-17T09:27:00.000-12:00

The Maori Concert in Rotorua

2006-09-17T09:23:00.000-12:00

Work ...Eat .... Exercise .... Eat

2006-09-10T10:02:00.000-12:00

catching up on the long emails and with my guard dog "ZIGGY"

.. and then I had to make some chocolate cookies .... MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!

... and then I rode the bike trainer for 25 minutes (listening to music) to burn some calories ... good Huh!!!

... and then I had to make some dinner "PASTA and TASTY TOMATO ZUCHINNI" cause I was hungry after all the exercise ... YEAH RIGHT!

... but I did have a kitchen hand who was learning to cook !!! ... its a hard job finding the perfect helper

Muffins by Cora

2006-09-07T12:42:00.000-12:00

FIRST there were 10 delightful, tasty, scrumptious berry fruit muffins coated in cinnamon sugar ....

... and then there was only one lonesome Muffin left !!!

Rugby & Shopping .. what else is there to do?

2006-09-04T14:39:00.000-12:00

Relaxing like a "kiwi" with liquid refreshments watching the rugby

Thinking about which shop to attack next

Taupo ... to ... Tirau

2006-09-03T14:01:00.000-12:00

Hugging a tree above the lake ... Tongariro National park and Mt Ruapehu with snow on the mountains, in the distance

The corrugated iron sheep ... and a big hug for the sheep

The currugated iron dog ... and another big hug

A Tirau Tourist ... YEAH RIGHT !!!

The Sky Tower ... Auckland

2006-09-03T12:42:00.000-12:00

The Sky Tower at night

View from the Skytower ... 340 metres high

looking through the glass foor at the street below ... 38mm glass .. it is meant to be stronger than concrete !!!

riding the escalator in Sky City after going up the Tower

Birthday Parties in Auckland

2006-09-03T12:23:00.000-12:00

Icing Sam's first birthday cake with Salena supervising

The finished result .. "The Big Green Truck"

Barbie waiting to be dressed in her ball gown !!

Salena's "Pink Barbie" bithday cake

Barbie after being disrobed by the party goers !!! .. showing a bit of leg

Samuel ... Jeremy's nephew... Salena his sister in the background

My Friends at the Agridome

2006-09-03T12:17:00.000-12:00

Feeding the lambs with bottled milk ... I am bringing one of these cuddly woolly things home !!

Can I take one home ... please

I really like the Rasta one with the dreads

... and this dog doesn't eat much

... and this merino is not really that big

Downhill LUGE at Rotorua

2006-09-03T11:55:00.000-12:00

Getting prepared for the luge run down the hill

I survived the the Luge track .. scary !!!

catching the chairlift back up the hill for another luge run

The ride back up to the top of the hill

The ride back down atfer the luge, in the 8 person Gondola

Joshua on the ride down

Taking the PLUNGE

2006-09-03T11:36:00.000-12:00

FIRST ... test the water temperature

run in to take a dip

take a deep breath

down then up again

.. then run like hell to get warm

sitting in the warm water at the lake edge

In Hot Water AGAIN

2006-09-03T11:14:00.000-12:00

In the hot pool at the motel where we stayed in Taupo .. had lots of swims .. really nice and warm

My feathered friends at Lake Taupo
Testing the temperature of the Lake water .. some parts are freezing cold and other parts are quite hot with thermally heated water bubbling up through the stones
Walking along to take a plunge in the cold Lake

The Ohakune Carrot

2006-09-03T11:08:00.000-12:00

The famous Ohakune carrot ... Ohakune is on the western side of Mt Ruapehu and the Tongariro National Park. The area grows lots of carrots as well as being a ski town for the Turoa Skifield during the winter

Chocolate Fish & Mt. Victoria

2006-08-27T10:01:00.000-12:00

At the top of Mt. Victoria looking down on Wellington City and the harbour ... and my school is behind me and over the the left a bit.

At Scorching Bay ... although not so hot today ... Chocolate Fish Cafe is the green building in the background... ( also famous as the place where LOTR stars used to hang out)

walking on the wind swept beach

outside the famous Chocolate Fish Cafe .. the girl behind me is wearing a NZ icon ... the "Swandri" jacket

Hot chocolate and "chocolate fish" from Chocolate Fish Cafe .. with marshmellows

Watching Rugby with m&m's

2006-08-27T09:49:00.000-12:00

After the Black Seeds concert (... awesome @#&*!!) in Wellington on Sauturday night we watched the live telecast of the the All Blacks vs. Springboks (South Africa) at 1:00am on Sunday morning .. that's why I am wrapped up in my duvet and eating energy food like "m&m"s ... YEAH RIGHT ... I only saw bits of the first half cause I fell asleep ... wasted after the Black Seeds concert !!!!

Nicht nur Rugby und Spiel

2006-08-20T13:26:00.000-12:00

PHOTOGRAPHIC evidence of Cora's mental application to school work. Please take special note of the happy face .... YEAH RIGHT!!!.

Schwarzer Waldkuchen

2006-08-16T16:49:00.000-12:00

The team in action

The result:

Chemistry ... Schokolade Schmecker

2006-08-15T15:07:00.000-12:00

This is really hard work .... BUT someone had to do it

Franziska and Stefanie doing the dishes at the "German Embassy" in Ngaio, NZ and Cora testing the chocolate brownie mixture !!

The Lion's Share

2006-08-07T12:58:00.000-12:00

Posing with the Lion statue in front of the Westpac Stadium before the rugby game between the Wellington "Lions" and the Bay of Plenty "Steamers"

Watching my team warm up before the game

A "hot" rugby player: Tane Tu'ipulotu; Nickname: King; Position:Midfield back; Date of Birth:2/7/81; Height:1.86m; Weight:99.6kg

2006-08-04T22:14:00.000-12:00

Wellington Stadium at about 7 pm - it's still winter

Wellington Lions vs Bay of Plenty
War ja klar dass wir gewinnen - 11 : 6

2006-08-04T22:04:00.000-12:00

Letztes Wochenende hab ich versucht die Herr-der-Ringe-Huegel zu finden... die sind naemlich in Wellington. Auf dem Weg dahin habe ich noch ein paar Fotos gemacht, die stellen die Umgebung eigentlich ganz gut dar. Wunderschoen, oder? Die Baeume hier sind fast alle immergruen, deshalb sieht es auch so wenig nach Winter aus. Das ist mir erst nach ein paar Tagen aufgefallen...

2006-08-04T21:54:00.000-12:00

Mein absoluter Lieblingsplatz in Wellington...am Meer!!! Man kann sich direkt am Wasser einfach in die Sonne setzen und Kekse essen. Und sich den Wind ins Gesicht pusten lassen. Und Segelboote angucken.

Und Enten.

2006-08-04T21:46:00.000-12:00

Es gibt viele Gruende Rugby gut zu finden....

Und ich muss aufpassen dass niemand das sieht, Brandon spielt naemlich fuer Suedafrika, den Erzfeind.
Rugby ist so ziemlich das lustigste was ich bisher gesehen habe und meine Gasteltern haben mich auch ziemlich schnell daran gewoehnt - am ersten Wochenende haben Jeremy und Josh mich zu Neuseeland vs Suedafrika mitgenommen (diehe die Bilder mit dem All Blacks Schal) und gestern durfte ich auf mein Gequengel hin auch mit zu den Wellington Lions. Von denen konnte ich aber keine Bilder kopieren, deshalb muss der Suedafrikaer hier rein.

2006-08-04T21:44:00.000-12:00

My "host" bro ... Joshua

2006-07-25T11:23:00.000-12:00

Josh with a crayfish ... sort of like a lobster

Josh at Hahei ... Coromandel Peninsula (top right hand side of North Island, NZ)

Homework, Sleep & Football

2006-07-24T14:19:00.000-12:00

Doing my homework in the sunshine

Pushing z z z z z z z z z after a hard day at school !!!

Watching Joshua's football team playing at Paraparaumu

RUGBY ... the national game

2006-07-24T11:41:00.000-12:00

I went to the the big rugby game between New Zealand "The All Blacks" and South Africa "the Springboks" at the Wellington Stadium. I signed the big (6m x 3m) All Black jersey.

The All Blacks doing the Haka before the game

Joshua and I in the crowd ... I have an All Black scarf on !!!!

Joshua, ME (serious look) & Jeremy ... following the game

Peka Peka ... Kapiti Island

2006-07-24T11:27:00.000-12:00

it takes about 1 hour to drive from Ngaio to Peka Peka

Kapiti Island from Peka Peka Beach

Cora ... somewhere in the South Pacific

Around my house in Ngaio

2006-07-24T11:06:00.000-12:00

The street where I now live
Outside my bedroom window ... the spikey leaves of the cabbage tree

Flax bushes ... power lines ... lots of hills

20 July 2006 .. a uniform day

2006-07-19T10:43:00.000-12:00

After a hard day at school

A new experience ... a new uniform

Enchiladas and plenty of healthy, fruity salad !!!

15th of July

2006-07-14T21:47:00.000-12:00

My room...

15th of July

2006-07-14T21:42:00.000-12:00

2006-07-14T21:39:00.000-12:00

15th of July

2006-07-14T21:33:00.000-12:00

The lost ticket....

15th July Saturday

2006-07-14T21:21:00.000-12:00

... but wait there will be some photos

Friday 14 July 2006

2006-07-12T12:48:00.000-12:00

Cora arrives in Wellington, New Zealand

sorting out my subjects with Annette the International Student teacher